William Saliba
ARSFrance
Right
Mar 24, 2001
25
6'4"
203 lb
CB
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Back Line Anchor
ArsenalPlays 18 minutes
Saliba played 18 minutes from the bench in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Southampton.
Analysis: Saliba failed to start Saturday but still saw the field as his club dropped out of FA Cup play, appearing for 18 minutes to end the match. However, the star defender couldn't do much to help, with Southampton scoring six minutes after he entered. Even more concerning for the defender, he replaced Gabriel, his defensive partner, due to injury. That said, he may need to play a major role when facing Sporting on Tuesday.
Option off bench
Saliba (ankle) is on the bench for Saturday's FA Cup clash against Southampton.
Analysis: Saliba is back in the squad for Saturday's FA Cup clash against Southampton but starts on the bench as he continues to manage a recurring ankle issue. The center-back remains a key piece in defense with his consistency, aerial presence and ball progression, but the staff is expected to ease him back into action given his importance after starting 32 of his 33 appearances across all competitions this season.
Won't join France
Saliba (ankle) is still dealing with issues and won't join the French national team, according to Fabrice Hawkins from RMC Sport.
Analysis: Saliba still does not look fully past his recurring ankle issue, as Arsenal will not risk him and he will stay in London over the international break. The French defender was replaced by Maxence Lacroix on France's squad list and will now look to use the break to get all the way back to full fitness after a problem that has already cost him several matches this season. Saliba is still a locked-in starter for the Gunners, with 32 starts in 33 appearances across all competitions while adding one goal, 33 tackles and 130 clearances.
Starting Wednesday
Saliba (ankle) is in the starting XI for Wednesday's match against Leverkusen.
Analysis: Saliba is not going to miss any more time as expected, with the defender immediately in a starting role again after his ankle injury. The French defender should remain in this role moving forward as long as he avoids a further injury, only missing one start all season when an option.
Will return Wednesday
Saliba (ankle) is fine and expected to be involved in Wednesday's Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen, according to manager Mikel Arteta.
Analysis: Saliba missed a couple of games due to the injury he suffered on March 1 against Chelsea, when he scored his lone goal of the season. The center-back is an undisputed starter when available as part of a center-back pairing alongside Gabriel Magalhaes, and his inclusion in the initial squad will likely move Cristhian Mosquera back to the bench.
Back in training
Saliba (ankle) was involved in training ahead of Wednesday's match against Leverkusen, according to his club.
Analysis: Saliba was not an option for FA Cup play this weekend, but looks to be trending towards a return on Wednesday, with the defender back in training. The hope will be that the defender is fit enough to work back into the starting XI immediately, linking up with his counterpart in the defense, Gabriel. This would be a major boost to the club, as the French defender is one of the best in the world.
Not available Saturday
Saliba (ankle) is ruled out for Saturday's FA Cup clash against Mansfield.
Analysis: Saliba is not available for Saturday's FA Cup clash against Mansfield as he continues working toward full fitness ahead of the clash with Leverkusen on March. 11. in the Champions League. The defender remains a key piece of Arsenal's back line when fully fit so his absence opens opportunities for Cristhian Mosquera to take a larger role in the defense.
Unlikely for FA Cup
Saliba (ankle) remains questionable for Saturday's FA Cup game against Mansfield, with coach Mikel Arteta saying "I doubt it." when asked about his availability, and also revealing that it's not the same ankle he had injured before "No, it's the other one. We saw after the game he wasn't comfortable to finish the game and after that, straight away, he didn't have a good feeling. So let's see if he recovers quickly".
Analysis: Saliba may be sidelined for the weekend's cup match while he works toward recovering before a more important UCL clash with Bayer Leverkusen on March 11. The defender should be a key piece of Arsenal's back line as soon as he's fully fit, but his absence may lead to some opportunities for Cristhian Mosquera.
Out with injury
Saliba is out for Wednesday's match against Brighton due to an injury he suffered against Chelsea, according to his club. "He turned his ankle against Chelsea. He managed to finish the game somehow, but he was too sore to play today."
Analysis: Saliba is not with his club Wednesday for a midweek match, as the defender will rest due to an injury he suffered in his last outing. This is a major blow as the club loses one of the defenders in the top defensive duo in the league. Cristhian Mosquera sees the start in his place, with Saliba likely to have a further examination soon.
Scores first season goal
Saliba scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Sunday's 2-1 win over Chelsea.
Analysis: Saliba chose the perfect moment to open his account for the season, heading the Gunners in front with his first shot on target to help seal the derby victory. The center back also contributed defensively with five clearances and one tackle, continuing a run of consistent defensive displays that has seen him register at least one tackle and two clearances in each of his last five starts across all competitions.
Starts FA Cup match
Saliba (illness) started and played 61 minutes in Sunday's 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic.
Analysis: Saliba was back on the field Sunday after some battles with an illness for their last league match, starting and playing a full hour. The French defender should continue to maintain his regular role in the defense, only missing one start when an option all league season.
Out Thursday with illness
Saliba is not in the match squad to face Brentford on Thursday due to illness, with manager Mikel Arteta saying "This morning Wilo wasn't feeling good so he's ill, and he's at home. Just short-term.".
Analysis: Saliba is a late absence for the Premier League clash, in which Cristhian Mosquera is filling in alongside Gabriel at center-back. The Frenchman will hope to recover in time to return either in the next FA Cup clash with Wigan Athletic or in a later league visit to Wolves.
Season high nine clearances
Saliba registered one cross (one accurate) and one tackle in Saturday's 3-0 win versus Sunderland. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 26th minute.
Analysis: Saliba produced a solid defensive display,leading his side with nine clearances, while adding a tackle and an interception. His performance helped the team record a third straight clean sheet across all competitions, though he conceded two fouls and picked up his first yellow card of the league season.
Available against Leeds United
Saliba (undisclosed) is back available for Saturday's clash against Leeds United, coach Mikel Arteta said in the press conference. "They are OK. Obviously they have been playing a lot of minutes, they've been carrying a few niggles and it was a really good opportunity for us to offload them a little bit and refresh them."
Analysis: Saliba completed specific training this week to optimize his condition ahead of Saturday's clash against Leeds United and ultimately missed Wednesday's Champions League clash against Kairat for that reason. There is no doubt the Frenchman will resume a starting role in central defense on Saturday, as he started 18 of his 19 Premier League appearances this season, contributing 20 tackles and 69 clearances to help the Gunners secure three shutouts.
Out to face Kairat
Saliba is out for Wednesday's match against Kairat after he was absent from training Tuesday, according to manager Mikel Arteta. "No, [William is] not (available). It's a good opportunity now that we make a different kind of work with them to get them in the best possible condition for the weekend, hopefully."
Analysis: Saliba is not going to be with the club as they play their final league stage match in UCL play, with the defender out due to an apparent injury after missing training. He was absent three games ago due to an injury, with this possibly related, as the club may want to be cautious after already qualifying for the round of 16. He will eye a return as soon as they return to play in the Premier League, facing Leeds United on Saturday, with Cristhian Mosquera or Piero Hincapie as possible replacements.
Records 90 minutes in Cup derby
Saliba (undisclosed) made four tackles (one won), two clearances and one block during Wednesday's EFL Cup win over Chelsea.
Analysis: Saliba is available going forward despite being questionable prior to the midweek game. Thus, he'll likely retain his regular position as part of a center-back pairing with Gabriel Magalhaes in future contests. The Frenchman is a consistent contributor of defensive stats and has solid clean sheet chances with his team ranking as the top defense in the league.
Doubtful for Wednesday
Saliba is doubtful for Wednesday's match against Chelsea, according to manager Mikel Arteta.
Analysis: Saliba was not with the club for their FA Cup match over the weekend and looks to be set for another Cup match out. This is something to monitor for the club, as with no injury stated, it is undetermined what his status could be heading into Saturday's match against Nottingham Forest. The club would then likely turn to Jurrien Timber in the center alongside Gabriel if Saliba misses more time, while Ben White starts on the right.
Starting after injury
Saliba (undisclosed) is in the starting XI for Saturday's match against Wolves.
Analysis: Saliba is finally ending his injury absence after four games out, with the defender an option from the starting XI immediately. He starts alongside Piero Hincapie and should remain in this role moving forward, as the club does not need any more injury concerns in the defense moving forward, already without Gabriel (thigh) and Cristhian Mosquera (ankle).
Late fitness call
Saliba (undisclosed) didn't train on Thursday and will be a late call again for Saturday's clash against Wolves, coach Mikel Arteta said in the press conference. "We have to wait and see. Yesterday we didn't train, so we have an extra day between this afternoon, let's see if he can be available or not. It remains the same. If you asked me for the Everton game, I think he will be fit; for tomorrow, I don't know."
Analysis: Saliba is still dealing with the knock he received against Chelsea and hasn't trained with the team on Thursday. The Frenchman will be a late fitness call ahead of Saturday's clash against Wolves and will hope to resume team training on Friday. If he had to miss another game, Jurrien Timber or Christian Norgaard are the two options to start in central defense in his spot.
Remains out
Saliba (undisclosed) is still out for Wednesday's trip to Brugge, per manager Mikel Arteta. "No, so Declan was ill. He was quite sick after the game, and he hasn't travelled with us. William is still not available, and Leo again picked another knock in an area where he had the issue, and I don't expect that it's going to be long, but unfortunately, he cannot be here."
Analysis: Saliba remains sidelined for another match with an undisclosed issue. Arteta has been cagey about his recovery, giving him a chance to return last weekend, though Saliba was unable to do so. Without a clear timeline for his return it's likely Piero Hincapie and Jurrien Timber will remain the starting pair.
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